Apparatus for Prevention of a Toilet Overflow

ABSTRACT

To prevent an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve, the invention suggests using a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl. A water level sensor is positioned in the bowl and sends an out-of-range signal to a solenoid, which causes a pivotal baffle plate to close a fluid path between the tank and the bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for preventing a toilet overflow and, more particularly, to an apparatus that can be used to retrofit conventional toilets for prevention of an overflow.

A toilet can overflow due to various reasons, such as for instance malfunctioning flapper valve that is mounted in the tank and normally closes the outlet port of the tank. Another reason is a blocked sewage pipe that leads from the toilet bowl into the sewage line. In either case, the results create considerable inconvenience to a home owner or an owner of a commercial facility. The overflow creates unsanitary conditions that must be remedied in an expeditious manner.

There have been a number of patents directed to toilet overflow control in conventional gravity tank toilet systems. U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,841 teaches a system for preventing a toilet bowl from overflowing. The system includes a sensor mounted on exterior of the toilet bowl at a location above a normal water level for the toilet bowl. The sensor uses capacitance values of air and water to sense the water level in the toilet bowl, and generates a warning signal if the level is above the normal level. The system further includes a valve connected to the water conduit upstream from the toilet tank, the valve being displaceable to respective open and closed positions. A drive assembly is connected to the valve to drive the valve to the open and closed positions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,977 discloses a combination overflow control and leak detecting system for a toilet. It uses a magnetic detector secured in a toilet tank for detecting the level of water in the toilet tank. This detector is adjustably mounted on a float held in the toilet tank and is designed to be activated by rising and falling levels of water in the toilet tank.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,594 discloses a circular opening integrally formed within the left side of the concave inner wall of the toilet bowl. The overflow inlet portal provides passage to an auxiliary waste drain outlet which extends downward through toilet bowl front to the primary waste discharge pipe, and through the stool portion of the standard toilet, under which connection is made to an auxiliary waste outlet piping being in fluid communication with the primary waste discharge pipe.

U.S. application publication No. 2005/0132483 discloses the use of a secondary valve, a fluid cylinder and a transmission mechanism. The secondary valve is positioned between a primary flush valve of the toilet and a bowl of the toilet. The secondary valve rotates from an open position, wherein water is permitted to flow through the secondary valve, to a closed position, wherein water is substantially prevented from flowing from a tank of the toilet to the bowl. The fluid cylinder has a cylinder member defining a bore and a piston. The piston moves within the bore and defines a variable volume fluid chamber with the cylinder member. The transmission mechanism converts translation of the piston into rotation of the secondary valve.

U.S. application publication No. 2005/071914 discloses the use of a sensor, which operates to sense a liquid level within a toilet bowl, and an actuator, which moves between a flush position and an idle position. A controller operates to move the valve to the open position in response to movement of the actuator to the flush position and a liquid level within the bowl below a predetermined level. U.S. application publication No. 2008/0250555 discloses the use of a flapper solenoid mounted in the tank, for depressing the flapper valve into a closed position, an overflow sensor mounted in the bowl for sensing an over fill condition in the bowl, and a control box communicating with the over flow sensor and the flapper solenoid for operably signaling the flapper solenoid to depress the flapper valve into the closed position in the case of an over fill condition.

U.S. application publication No. 2003/0196258 discloses a water level sensor, which is designed for attachment to the rim of the toilet bowl. The overflow apparatus has a hollow flexible tube connecting the water level sensor to an air vented toilet tank flapper. The water level sensor opens an air valve to allow air to flow out of the flexible tube attaching to the water level sensor coming from the air vented toilet tank flapper when it trips. As water displaces the air inside the air vented toilet tank flapper, it sinks to close the toilet tank flush valve. Water flowing through the toilet tank flush valve is closed and a toilet bowl overflow is prevented.

U.S. application publication No. 20060059612 discloses the use of four drain ports and a float. As water rises, the float rises, allowing water to drain into return ports and not over the top of the toilet. The ports are molded into the toilet bowl which would drain directly back to the main toilet line, therefore stopping water from flowing over the top of the toilet. The ports are located just below the brim of the toilet. U.S. application publication No. 2010/0095447 discloses the use of a sensor capable of detecting vibration of the toilet during a flush cycle. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the vibration. A processor receives the signal from the sensor and processes the signal to determine if the vibration is indicative of an impeded flush condition. If an impeded flush condition is determined to exist, the processor generates a control signal to cause an actuator to close a valve, which stops a flow of water within the toilet.

U.S. application publication No. 2010/0299823 discloses the use of a secondary drainpipe which bypasses the primary waste drain of traditional fixtures. When the primary waste drain of the fixture is blocked, the wastewater will back up in the fixture's basin until the water level reaches a plurality of secondary discharge holes formed in the upper region of the fixture's basin. The rising water flows through these discharge holes and through the secondary drain which is in fluid connection with the building's drainage/sewer system. U.S. application publication No. 2007/0157374 discloses the use of a pump, a moisture sensor and a circuit for receiving a signal from the moisture sensor and activating the pump. The pump is associated with the toilet and attached to an inlet pipe to receive liquid from the toilet bowl of the toilet. The pump is further attached to an outlet pipe for discharging liquid from the toilet bowl.

While these solutions may work satisfactory in many cases, many of them are too complex for retrofitting a conventional toilet system. The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the above-discussed solutions and provision of an easy-to-install inexpensive retrofit apparatus that can be used in residential and commercial settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an overflow prevention apparatus that can be used to retrofit convention gravity toilet systems.

It is another object of the invention to provide an overflow prevention apparatus that is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an overflow prevention apparatus that operates through a solenoid moving a baffle member to close a flapper valve of a conventional water tank.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of an apparatus for prevention of an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve directing water by gravity from the tank to the bowl. The apparatus comprises a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl, a water level sensor mountable inside the bowl and a solenoid assembly transmitting a signal from the water level sensor when an out-of-range water level conditions are detected.

The baffle assembly comprises a tubular baffle housing detachably securable in general alignment with the flush valve and a baffle plate mounted for pivotal movement inside the housing, the baffle plate being movable between a normally open position substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the baffle housing and a closed position, transverse to the vertical axis of the baffle housing. The baffle plate moves between the open position and the closed position in response to a control signal from the water level sensor transmitted to the baffle assembly via the solenoid assembly.

The apparatus of the present invention can be used to retrofit conventional toilet systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals and wherein

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the overflow prevention apparatus of the present invention mounted between a water tank and a toilet bowl.

FIG. 2 is a detail view illustrating supporting spacers engaged between the water tank and the toilet bowl.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the overflow prevention apparatus of the present invention, with a sensor member omitted.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the overflow prevention apparatus of the present invention mounted between the water tank and the toilet bowl.

FIG. 5 is a detail top view illustrating the baffle plate in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a detail, partially sectional side view illustrating the baffle plate in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a detail top view illustrating the baffle plate in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a detail, partially sectional side view illustrating the baffle plate in the closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates pivotal movement of the lever arm between an open and a closed positions.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the overflow prevention apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a baffle assembly dimensioned for positioning between a water tank 14 and a toilet bowl 16 of a conventional gravity system.

The baffle assembly comprises a baffle housing housing 12 has a tubular configuration with an open top 18 and an open bottom 20. A mounting tab 22 is secured on an exterior surface of the baffle housing 12. A mounting bracket 24 is detachably secured to the mounting tab 22 using a screw 26. The mounting bracket 24 comprises a pair of planar portions 28, 29 unitary connected to each at a right angle. Each of the planar portions 28, 30 is provide with a through opening 29, 31, respectively. The planar portion 28 is secured to the mounting tab 22 using the screw 26, while the planar portion 30 supports a solenoid assembly 32.

The solenoid assembly 32 comprises a solenoid member 34, which can be a tubular battery-operated solenoid and a pivot lever arm 36 secured to a securing proximate end 35 of the solenoid member 34. The solenoid member 32 is operationally connected to a power supply, such as battery 46, and to a water level sensor or overflow sensor 48.

The securing end 35 of the solenoid member 34, as can be seen in FIG. 3, has a fork-like configuration with spaced-apart securing legs 38, 39. A lower end of the lever arm 36 fits between the legs 38, 39 of the securing end of the solenoid member 34 and is secured therein by a pin 40 passing through respective openings 37, formed in the lower end of the lever arm, and through openings formed in the securing legs 38, 39. A retaining ring 42 secures the pin 40 in its engagement with the securing legs 38, 39 and the lever arm 36 sandwiched therebetween.

An opposite upper end 50 of the lever arm 36 is provided with a through opening 51, which receives a distant end 52 of an elongated baffle shaft 54. The baffle shaft 54 has a generally cylindrical configuration, and the distant end 52 has a flat cutout that matches a flat surface of the cutout 51 formed in the opening 51 of the pivot lever arm 36. When engaged with the baffle shaft 54, the lever arm 36 transmits pivotal movement from the solenoid securing end 35 to the baffle shaft 54 causing the baffle shaft to move laterally inside the baffle housing 12, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

A circumferential groove 56 is formed on the baffle shaft 54 a distance from the distant end 52. When secured in the baffle housing 12, the majority length of the baffle shaft 54 appears to extend in the baffle housing 12. An opening 15 is formed in the wall of the baffle housing 12 a distance above the tab 22. The baffle shaft 54 extends through the opening 15 such that the groove 56 is positioned adjacent the wall of the baffle housing 12. A sealing O-ring 58 seals the area of connection between the baffle shaft 54 and the baffle housing 54 forming a watertight seal in the connection area. A retaining ring 60 secures the distant end 52 of the baffle shaft 54 to the upper end 50 of the lever arm 36.

The baffle shaft 54 is provided with a pair of spaced apart threaded openings 62, 64. A baffle plate 68 is provided for closing the fluid path between the water tank 14 and the toilet bowl 16 in case of impending overflow. The baffle plate 68 is secured to the baffle shaft 54 using a pair of screws 69, 70, which pass through respective apertures 71, 72 formed in the baffle plate 68. The apertures 71, 72 align with the threaded openings 62, 64, respectively, allowing the screws 69 and 70 to engage the baffle plate 68 to the baffle shaft 54.

The baffle plate 68 comprises a generally planar body configured to be slightly smaller than an interior chamber defined by the hollow baffle housing 12, such that the baffle plate can pivot together with the shaft 54 opening and closing a fluid path defined by the cylindrical baffle housing 12 between the water tank 14 and the toilet bowl 16. In a closed position, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the baffle plate 54 extends horizontally and transversely to a vertical axis of the baffle housing 12. In this position the baffle plate 54 blocks a flow of water from the water tank 14. When the baffle plate 54 is in a normally open position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the baffle plate is oriented generally parallel to the vertical axis of the baffle housing 12.

The water level sensor 48 is detachably mounted in an upper part of the toilet bowl 16 (see, FIG. 1). The water level sensor 48 can be secured to a rim 74 of the toilet bowl 16 using a clip 76 or other suitable mounting means. The water level sensor 48 is operationally connected to the solenoid member 34 using electrical wiring 78.

When mounting the apparatus 10 of the present invention, advantage is taken of the existing sealing gaskets 80 and 82 conventionally used between the water tank 14 and the toilet bowl 16. The upper sealing gasket 80 is fitted around the upper end 18 of the baffle housing 12, while the lower sealing gasket 82 is fitted around an open bottom end 20 of the baffle housing 12.

A retrofitting kit of the instant invention also comprises a pair of long bolts 84 securing the tank 14 to the toilet bowl 16. Usually, there are two such bolts provided. A spacer 86 is used in a surrounding relationship to each of the securing bolts 84 to allow positioning of the baffle housing 12 between a bottom of the water tank 14 and the top of the toilet bowl 16.

In one aspect of the invention, the baffle housing 12 is positioned in fluid communication with the water tank 14 and the toilet bowl 16 such that a conventional flapper style flush valve 88 is oriented to be above the upper end 18 of the baffle housing 12. When in a fully open position, the baffle plate 68 does not interfere with the normal flow of water from the tank 14 to the bowl 16. However, when the level sensor 48 detects an abnormal condition, that is a water level above a pre-determined level in the bowl 16, the sensor 48 generates a signal and transmits it to the solenoid 34. The solenoid then causes the lever arm 36 to pivot, rotating the baffle plate 90 degrees and extend transversely in the baffle housing 12. The flow of water from the tank 14 to the bowl 16 is prevented, thereby preventing an overflow of water in the bowl 16.

During the operation, as the water level comes up the sensor 48 sends an electrical signal closing the circuit on the electromagnet in the solenoid member 34 and causing the pivotal movement of the lever arm and the baffle plate. As the water recedes, the connection is no longer made and the baffle plate 68 is returned to its normally open position.

The attachment of the sensor 48 to the bowl 16 can be done by a clip, similar to a deodorizer attachment to a bowl or glue that attaches to a ceramic bowl. All the elements necessary to retrofit this apparatus to an existing toilet will be provided in a kit along with instructions that instructs the user on the removal of the conventional bolts, the use of the longer bolts 84 which will be supplied, the attachment of the sensor 48 to the bowl 16, the installation of the a baffle to the toilet and the use of the gaskets in the proper places. The water sealing gaskets are conventionally used in gravity systems therefore there will be no need deal with the gaskets. The apparatus of the present invention can be installed by a handyman can install this without the use of a plumber to prevent overflowing of the toilet.

It is envisioned that the apparatus of the present invention can use a sensor equipped with an audible alarm feature. When the water level has rise above the predetermined level and the solenoid is activated, the sensor will emit a sound alerting the home owner of the out-of-range conditions. Similarly, an audible alarm feature can be provided for alerting the home owner of a dead battery. Then the batteries will need to be changed.

Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention are limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for prevention of an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve, the apparatus comprising: a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl and a water level sensor mountable inside the bowl, the baffle assembly comprising a tubular baffle housing detachably securable in general alignment with the flush valve and a baffle plate mounted for pivotal movement inside the housing, the baffle plate being movable between a normally open position substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the baffle housing and a closed position, transverse to the vertical axis of the baffle housing, the baffle plate moving between the open position and the closed position in response to a control signal from the water level sensor transmitted to the baffle assembly.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a means for transmitting a control signal said baffle assembly comprising a means for transmitting the signal from the water level sensor to the baffle plate.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, said means for transmitting control signal comprises a solenoid member operationally connected to the water level sensor, a pivot arm secured to the solenoid member and a baffle shaft engaged with the pivot arm, said baffle shaft extending between the pivot arm and the baffle plate.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, said pivot shaft being securely attached to the baffle plate and adapted to transmit pivotal movement to the baffle plate from the pivot arm.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, said solenoid member being detachably secured to the baffle housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a supporting bracket is secured to an exterior of the baffle housing, the supporting bracket supporting the solenoid member and the baffle shaft.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a mounting tab is secured to the exterior of the baffle housing, and wherein the supporting bracket is detachably secured to the mounting tab.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3, said solenoid member comprising a securing end, and wherein the pivot arm is carried by the securing end.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, said securing end comprising a pair of spaced-apart legs, and wherein the pivot arm is received in a space between the spaced-apart legs and is secured with the spaced-apart legs by a pin.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3, said baffle shaft is dimensioned to extend through an opening formed in a wall of the baffle housing such that at least a portion of the baffle shaft extends outwardly from the housing and is capable of attachment to the pivot arm.
 11. The apparatus of claim 3, said baffle shaft has a generally cylindrical configuration, and a distant end extending outwardly from the baffle housing.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the distant end of the baffle shaft has a flat cutout that matches a flat surface of a cutout formed in the pivot arm.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, said baffle shaft being provided with a circumferential groove a distance from the distant end, and wherein a sealing O-ring is fitted in said circumferential groove to form a watertight seal connection between the baffle shaft and the baffle housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a retainer ring secures the distant end of the baffle shaft with the pivot arm.
 15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the solenoid member is battery operated.
 16. An apparatus for prevention of an overflow in a toilet system having a tank in fluid communication with a bowl and having a flapper style flush valve, the apparatus comprising: a baffle assembly mountable between the tank and the bowl, a water level sensor mountable inside the bowl, and a means for transmitting a signal indicative of an out-of-range water level from the sensor to the baffle assembly, the baffle assembly comprising a tubular baffle housing detachably securable in general alignment with the flush valve and a baffle plate mounted for pivotal movement inside the housing, the baffle plate being movable between a normally open position substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the baffle housing and a closed position, transverse to the vertical axis of the baffle housing, the baffle plate moving between the open position and the closed position in response to a control signal from the water level sensor transmitted to the baffle assembly.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, said means for transmitting the signal comprises a solenoid member operationally connected to the water level sensor, a pivot arm secured to the solenoid member, a baffle shaft engaged with the pivot arm, and a baffle plate carried by the baffle shaft, said baffle shaft transmitting pivotal movement to the baffle plate from the pivot arm.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a mounting tab is carried by an exterior of the baffle housing, and wherein a supporting bracket is detachable engaged with the mounting tab.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the supporting bracket supports the solenoid member and the baffle shaft.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, said solenoid member comprising a securing end, and wherein the pivot arm is carried by the securing end.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, said securing end comprising a pair of spaced-apart legs, and wherein the pivot arm is received in a space between the spaced-apart legs and is secured with the spaced-apart legs by a pin.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17, said baffle shaft is dimensioned to extend through an opening formed in a wall of the baffle housing such that at least a portion of the baffle shaft extends outwardly from the housing and is capable of attachment to the pivot arm.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, said baffle shaft has a generally cylindrical configuration, and a distant end extending outwardly from the baffle housing.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the distant end of the baffle shaft has a flat cutout that matches a flat surface of a cutout formed in the pivot arm.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, said baffle shaft being provided with a circumferential groove a distance from the distant end, and wherein a sealing O-ring is fitted in said circumferential groove to form a watertight seal connection between the baffle shaft and the baffle housing.
 26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a retainer ring secures the distant end of the baffle shaft with the pivot arm.
 27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the solenoid member is battery operated. 